Flooding: Ogua/Enedua People Beg for Assistance
3 min read
by Oyagiri Chime
The people of Ogua/Enuedua Clan of Engenni ethnic group in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, have appealed to governments at all levels and oil companies operating in the area to come to their aid and ameliorate their suffering occasioned by the flood which has sacked them from their homes.
The president of the youth group, Ogua/Enedua Volunteer Youths Assembly, Comrade Sampson Oviemenavaya, who led other members and BOCHNEWS around the area, stated that the surging water has taken over their farmlands, homes and rendered many people homeless and destroyed property worth millions.
According to him, their plight is worsened due to the absence of Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps to shelter those affected.
Oviemenavaya noted that with no place to stay, the people now hang around portion of the only access road to communities which has not been submerged by the water.
“As you can see our mothers, wives and children are just hanging around the corner of the road where the flood has not taken over.
“They have no were to process the cassava they have harvested as result of the flood.
“We are begging the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, AWELGA Council and the oil companies operating here to help us . Let them open IDP camps for us so that we can have a place to lay our heads.
“We have no place to sleep, no water to drink, no electricity, but oil companies operates 48 oil wells in the area,” he lamented.
He stated that he is afraid there may be an epidemic outbreak since the already contaminated water is the only source of water for drinking and domestic use.
Another concerned indigene, Mr Harrison Faithful, also bemoaned their plight, saying their means of livelihoods have been destroyed by the flood no nobody had come to their aid.
He said Ogua and Enedua host Adibawa Flow Station that has 48 oil wells operated by Shell, and also host the headquarters of AWELGA at Akinimma, yet the people in the area are left to languish in penury.
“We are really suffering, government and Shell should help us out of this situation.” he appealed.
Harrison further disclosed that seven communities in the area have been cut off from other parts by the flood and can only be accessed by canoe from Joinkarama 1(JK1), which may soon be submerged by the flood.
When Bochnews visited the area, at Akinima, it was noticed that the flood has taken over the major road, coupled with the surging water current, it was near impossible to pass through to other parts by motorcycle.
Houses have also been deserted by occupants as the flood took over their homes.
For the people of Ogua/Enuedua, their fate is uncertain for now as the situation seems hopeless, except something is done quickly by the Federal, Rivers State Governments, AWELGA authorities and Shell.
